Ohio State and victims of sex abuse by Dr. Strauss are directed towards mediation by a federal judge
In a significant turn of events, federal Judge Michael H. Watson has ordered the remaining lawsuits against Ohio State University (OSU) into mediation, following allegations of sexual abuse by the late Dr. Richard Strauss [1]. The mediation, led by former Oklahoma Federal Judge Layn Phillips, is scheduled to last up to six months but may conclude earlier if a settlement is reached.
The mediation comes after an independent investigation, sponsored by OSU and conducted by the Perkins Coie law firm, concluded that Strauss sexually abused at least 177 male athletes and students [1]. Since 2018, OSU has settled with more than half of the plaintiffs—296 survivors—paying over $60 million [1].
Judge Watson appointed Phillips, known for his work on similar abuse cases involving Michigan State University, as the mediator [1]. A joint status update on the mediation progress must be filed by February 27, 2026 [1].
Rep. Jim Jordan, a former assistant wrestling coach at OSU from 1986 to 1994, has been deposed in the Strauss sexual abuse lawsuits against the university [1]. However, Jordan has repeatedly and publicly denied any knowledge that Strauss was preying on athletes [1]. One of the wrestlers Jordan once coached called him a liar in an HBO Max documentary about the Strauss scandal called "Surviving Ohio State" [1].
It's important to note that Jordan is not a defendant in the lawsuits, but he is referred to in some of them, alleging he was aware of the abuse [1]. The university has not publicly commented on the ongoing litigation or mediation [1].
In related news, Michigan State University paid Nassar sex abuse survivors $500 million, believed to be the largest settlement ever in a sexual misconduct case involving a university [1].
Meanwhile, a separate U.S. news story reports that a failed New Mexico candidate was sentenced to 80 years in prison for shootings at officials' homes [2].
References: [1] Associated Press. (2025, August 19). Ohio State ordered to mediate remaining Strauss lawsuits. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/ohio-state-university-richard-strauss-sexual-abuse-lawsuits-980d4c9586e12d2493077f06310f051c [2] Associated Press. (2025, August 18). Failed New Mexico candidate gets 80 years in prison for shootings at officials' homes. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-elections-shootings-politics-crime-9609d79453f5483db163c75d83158c38
- The mediation process for the sexual abuse lawsuits against Ohio State University (OSU) has been ordered by Judge Watson and will encompass not only general-news stories related to the university but also topics such as politics, given the ongoing allegations against former assistant wrestling coach Rep. Jim Jordan.
- Meanwhile, in a separate news story, the politics of criminal justice came into focus as a failed New Mexico candidate was sentenced to 80 years in prison for shootings at officials' homes, a case that underscores the complexities of crime-and-justice issues.
